WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – A man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Waterloo on Wednesday. Police say they received the call around 3:47 p.m. and responded at the scene of Sergeant Road near Freedom Lane. Upon arrival, first responders found a man that had separated from the motorcycle during the crash. He was declared dead at the scene. Witness accounts confirmed that the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the crash. The investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau/KCRG) — Iowa’s speed limit on some state highways is increasing from 55 to 60 miles per hour starting this month, but the Iowa Department of Transportation said not all roads are ready for the change. About 1,800 signs on state highways and 3,500 on rural roads will be updated as part of the transition. The Legislative Services Agency estimates the sign replacement will cost approximately $800,000. Iowa DOT said it could take crews more than a week to update signs on all impacted roads. For rural roads, cities and counties will make the decision on sign changes.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has filed a lawsuit against e-commerce giant Temu, alleging several violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. Bird says Temu “deceptively harvests” Iowans personal data, even alleging the company misrepresents the quality and price of goods and uses sign-up scams. The lawsuit also mentions a “lack of regard” for intellectual property rights with some of its merchandise, including merchandise featuring the University of Iowa and the IOWA Wave. In a statement, Bird said, “Iowans are always searching for good deals and ways to save money. Temu says they are a way to ‘shop like a billionaire’ and get great value for little money, but the goods are substandard and not as advertised. Worse than that, they can siphon Iowans’ information to the Chinese government. Temu is violating Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act, and we’re holding them responsible.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – After three hours of public comment and discussion, the Linn County Board of Supervisors passed a new moratorium on data centers. The Linn County Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday morning started at 10 a.m. The meeting was standing room only, with many people taking time to comment on the proposed moratorium in front of Supervisors. But it wasn’t until 1 p.m. that the Board voted two to one to pass it. The Board also made amendments to the moratorium they had under consideration. It was just back in February when the Board approved the ordinance for data centers. Supervisor Brandy Meisheid, who brought the issue to the board, said elected officials do not have enough information about data centers to make sound decisions. Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt, board chair, also supported the moratorium, saying data center and power plant companies have not answered questions raised by the public. Supervisor Sami Scheetz, board vice chair, voted against the moratorium. Scheetz said the data center ordinance the county passed in February provides sufficient protections and that the moratorium could push development toward cities with fewer regulations. Supporters of the moratorium said it will allow the board time to revise its existing ordinance. The board retains the ability to shorten or extend the 18-month moratorium period.
